Change is a constant in our lives and it has certainly been prominent in City of Salem Mayor Justin Green’s first term.

Working in partnership with the Salem City Council and other officials as well as many local and state organizations and agencies has resulted in many positive changes for the city.

“I am so grateful for the relationships we have sustained and built over these past three years,” said Mayor Green. “My goal when I was elected was to position Salem for the future and I am proud to say we have taken major steps in building a brighter tomorrow for our great city.”

Regarding the construction of several innovative infrastructure projects, downtown Salem will be easier to navigate and utilities will be upgraded to meet needs for many years and future generations.

“The city has successfully pursued federal highway grants and Community Crossing grants to fund these projects, with local matching funds,” said Mayor Green. “These extensive projects would not be possible without these grant programs. As we collaborate with state and federal agencies, it’s worth noting that the city aligns with their schedule.”

A city project that included designing a new entrance to Bristol Street and Highway 56 will make this area safer for motorists.

Salem and Washington County’s participation in the Our Southern Indiana READI initiative will bring major improvements to the city, including the Lake Salinda Bath House, improvements at the Salem Municipal Airport, and infrastructure and property acquisition for a workforce housing project on North Shelby Street.

The Covid-19 pandemic was a major challenge for the city, but Mayor Green was able to secure $250,000 in American Recovery Plan Act funds to assist small businesses. “Thanks to this financial support, our community’s small businesses managed to endure,” said Mayor Green.

Maintaining a well-trained and well-equipped emergency response team is vital to ensure a safe city. Under Mayor Green, new equipment has been added for both the Salem City Police Department and Salem Fire Department.

The addition of a portable speed/radar sign is making city streets safer by raising awareness of motor vehicle speeds.

Mayor Green is constantly networking and exploring opportunities that might benefit the city. He is currently attending new READI 2.0 meetings for the next phase of the multi-county regional development.

Other projects currently that will further improve Salem include:

• A new Splash Pad Water Park – Approval for permitting has been granted, and the final engineering phase is currently underway, along with additional land acquisition.
• Working with Duke Energy to start an LED street light program – The contract has been executed, and the project is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2024.
• Installing EV charging stations in partnership with Washington County Tourism to help attract visitors.
• Partnering with the Humane Society on a new Animal Shelter – Finishing touches are being made along with new fencing for the dog park.

The city of Salem is on an upward trajectory, experiencing continuous growth and driving economic prosperity. A welcoming atmosphere for small businesses has attracted numerous newcomers, injecting fresh attraction into the local community.

“There are a multitude of projects that are either underway or in the planning stages that will make our city an even better place to live and work,” said Mayor Green. “I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in each of these projects and I promise to continue working to move Salem toward a great future.”

This year, El Nino is in place heading into winter for the first time in four years, driving the outlook for warmer-than-average temperatures for the northern tier of the continental United States, according to NOAA’s U.S. Winter Outlook released today by the Climate Prediction Center — a division of the National Weather Service. 

“These outlooks provide critical guidance on the upcoming season for many industries and sectors of our economy, from energy producers to commodities markets to agricultural interests to tourism,” said Sarah Kapnick, Ph.D., NOAA chief scientist. “With a strengthening El Nino and more potential climate extremes in an already record-breaking year, we’re lucky to have scientists like those at the Climate Prediction Center helping to build a Weather and Climate-Ready Nation by providing critical operational seasonal climate predictions.”

From December through February, NOAA predicts wetter-than-average conditions for northern Alaska, portions of the West, the southern Plains, Southeast, Gulf Coast and lower mid-Atlantic and drier-than-average conditions across the northern tier of the U.S., especially in the northern Rockies and High Plains and near the Great Lakes.

“An enhanced southern jet stream and associated moisture often present during strong El Nino events supports high odds for above-average precipitation for the Gulf Coast, lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast states this winter,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Operational Prediction Branch of the Climate Prediction Center.

NOAA forecasters, in collaboration with the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), continue to monitor extreme, ongoing drought conditions that have persisted through the southern and central U.S. and worsening drought in Hawaii. 

“According to the Oct. 17 U.S. Drought Monitor, a third of the country, including Puerto Rico, is in drought,” said Brad Pugh, operational drought lead with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “During late October, heavy precipitation is likely to result in drought improvement for the central U.S. El Nino with its enhanced precipitation is expected to provide drought relief to the southern U.S. during the next few months.”

Early Sunday morning at approximately 1:41 am CST, officers from the Indiana State Police, Tell City Police, and Perry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for assistance at a residence on State Road 145 in Tell City in reference to a dispute with a possible weapon.

Upon arrival by law enforcement, a male subject, Andrew Long Jr., 32, of Huntingburg was fatally wounded from a gunshot wound in the driveway of the residence.

No arrest or charges have been filed at this time and the Indiana State Police is still investigating the events that transpired.

This investigation is ongoing at this time and notifications have been made to the Long family. There is no current threat to public safety.

ISP detectives were assisted at the scene by the Tell City Police Department, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County EMS, and the Perry County Coroner. 

Below are trick or treat events, dates and times for Southern Indiana. 

AUSTIN

Citywide Residential – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 6-8p 

BEDFORD

Scare Around the Square – Friday, Oct. 27 3-6p 

Citywide Residential Trick or Treating – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 6:30-8:30p 

BLOOMINGTON

Citywide Residential – Tuesday, Oct. 31 5:30 – 830p 

Bloomington Downtown – Friday, Oct. 27 – 5-8p 

Bloomington Ivy Tech – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 5 – 6:30p 

Bloomington Payne Town – Saturday, Oct 28 5:30 – 7:30p 

BROWNSTOWN 

Citywide Residential– Tuesday, Oct. 31 6-8p 

CAMPBELLSBURG

Citywide Residential – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 6-8p 

CHARLESTOWN: 

The city has an Alice in Wonderland-themed “Trail and Treat” event from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 27 at Greenway Park, 400 Market St. Brian Smith, a spokesperson for the city, said officials are “advising residents to trick or treat on Halloween Day between the hours of 6-9 p.m.”

CORYDON

Trick or Treat at the Track is a FREE event and FREE parking. Sat, Tuesday October 31st, 6pm – 8pm.

CROTHERSVILLE

Citywide Residential

Oct. 31 from 6-9 p.m.

ELKHART

Elkhart 4H Fairgrounds

Friday, Oct. 27 – 1-5p 

FRENCH LICK 

Melton Public Library – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 9a-5p 

West Baden Museum – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 5-7p

JEFFERSONVILLE

Citywide Residential – Tuesday, October 31 – 6-9p 

MITCHELL 

Citywide Residential – Tuesday, October 31 – 6-8p 

Mitchell Main Street – Tuesday, October 31, 4-6p 

Marion Fire Station – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 5-9p

Shawswick Fire Station – Friday, Oct. 27 – 7-9p

New Albany  

The City of New Albany’s Trunk or Treat will take place on Saturday, October 28 at 5:00p along the scenic New Albany Shoreline. Come join us for a free night of fun with games, inflatables, ghost stories, a magic show, and CANDY!

ORLEANS

Citywide Residential – Tuesday, Oct. 31 -6-9p

PEKIN 

Citywide Residential – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 6-8p 

PERRY COUNTY

Bristow Memorial Health Truck or Treat – Friday, Oct. 27 – 6-6:30p 

Cannelton – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 4-6p

Redemption Christian Church Trunk or Treat – Sunday, Oct. 29 4-6p 

TC United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 5:30 – 7p

Troy Citywide Residential – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 5-7p 

SALEM:

Boo Bash at the Stevens Museum – Saturday, Oct. 28 – 5-6:15p 

Christian Heritage Chapel – Trunk or Treat – Saturday, Oct. 28 – 6-9p 

Halloween Parade – Saturday, Oct. 28 – 6:30p 

Delaney Park – Saturday, Oct,. 28 – 5-9p

Westside Baptist Church – Saturday, Oct. 28 – 6-8p 

Salem Assembly of God – Trunk or Treat – Sunday, Oct. 29 – 5-7p 

Southern Hills Church – Trunk or Treat – Monday, Oct. 30 – 6-8p 

Citywide Residential – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 6-8p 

Salem Community Church – Trick or Treat – Sunday, Oct. 29 – 4-6p 

Salem Crossing – Saturday,  Oct. 28 – 4-6p

St. Vincent Hospital – Trick or Treat – Saturday, Oct. 28 – 4-6p 

Moose Lodge – Trick of Treat – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 6p

Walking Trail in Salem – Saturday, Oct. 28 – 4-6p 

American Legion, Sunday, Oct. 29 6-8p 

City of Salem Residential – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 6-8p 

SEYMOUR

Seymour Main Street is planning its annual Downtown Trick or Treat event from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30 at participating downtown locations.

Citywide Residential – Tuesday, Oct. 31 – 6-9p 

SCOTTSBURG

Haunted Downtown and Trick or Treat – Monday, Oct. 30 6-8p 

Hickory Creek at Scottsburg – Trunk or Treat – Monday, Oct. 30 6-8p
The Waters of Scottsburg – Trick or Treat – Monday, Oct. 30 6-8p 

Sellersburg: 

Citywide Residential Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 6-9 p.m.

SHOALS

Trick or Treat on Main Street – Friday, Oct. 27 – 6p